Murder of school girl Prime suspect held, in remand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 13 2011: In a swift response, police have arrested a 22-year old youth, the prime suspect behind the death of 16-year old Vasmi Khaleng d/o Ngathingkhui Khaleng of Paorei village, Ukhrul district, a class XI student in RK Sanatombi Devi Vidyalaya, who was found murdered at Thangmeiband Cheiraoching in the afternoon of September 11 .

The arrested accused has been identified as Wungthem Mawon (22) s/o Likeson Mawon of Tushen Chanhong village, Ukhrul district.

According to a statement issued by Senior SP of Imphal West District L Kailun, Wungthem Mawon was arrested from Ukhrul Bazar with the active support and co-operation from the victim's family, NGOs and Ukhrul district police.

On preliminary examination, the accused has admitted the commission of the crime.

The investigation of the case is on and chargesheet will be submitted very soon, the SSP added.

According to information received by the press, Wungthem Mawon was arrested by a police team led by SDPO Ukhrul Wungpam Kasar from the house of a relative at Lamlang Gate along Old Ukhrul Road in the wee hours today.

Students RK Sanatombi Vidyalaya rally and inset the accused

The arrest was possible after SDPO of Lamphel police, H Balram established contact with his counterpart, Wungpam Kasar at Ukhrul and sent a photograph of the accused through email.

Lamphel Police station had registered an FIR under u/s 302 IPC in connection with the murder.

The FIR is no.147 (9) 2011 of Lamphel Police Station.

Though originally from Tushen Chanhong village, the accused is putting up in a rented house at Lamphel area and studying in B Com final year in DM College of Commerce.

He gave the final examination last year but could not clear it.

After being arrested, the accused was brought to Imphal where he was produced before the court of CJM Imphal West.

With the permission of the court, the accused has been subsequently remanded to police custody till September 22 for further interrogation.

Meanwhile, decrying the murder and demanding legal action against all those involved in the murder, students of RK Sanatombi Devi Vidyalaya took out a protest rally today.

Starting from Khurai Lamlong, the protest rally passed through Dingku Road and concluded at Tangkhul Baptist Church, Chingmeirong where a public meeting was held.

Representatives of various NGOs and Church leaders who addressed the meeting strongly condemned the murder and demanded the Government to take up necessary measures to ensure such unfortunate incidents are not repeated in the future.

On the other hand, cutting across community line, various social organisations have come out strongly against the murder of Vasmi Khaleng.

Participating in a press conference organised by Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Imphal at Tangkhul Baptist Church here this afternoon, leaders of student bodies, women bodies, human rights groups and Tangkhul bodies demanded the Government to take up necessary legal action against all those involved in the killing.

Addressing the press conference on behalf of AMSU, MSF, DESAM and KSA, AMSU president Thokchom Suresh announced that students in all the schools and colleges in Manipur would wear black badges and carry out sit-in-protest on September 15 to denounce the murder of Vasmi Khaleng.

Nonibala, secretary of IRDSO, a women's body, pointed out that this is not the first time that a young woman was found murdered after being rape and this shows that there is no social security for women in Manipur today.

The president of Tangkhul People's Organisation, Imphal Ngaraipam expressed gratitude for the support extended from various groups.

He informed that preparations are being made for submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister in connection with the incident.

Naga People's Union, Imphal and Muslim Students' Union of Manipur have also condemned the murder of Vasmi Khaleng.